It has been a long break but we are finally back at doing what we love doing. We will begin work on a new pair of ruby slippers in early July.

Before we do, we want to show you the heels that we use on our shoes. We made these wooden shoe heels so they are not available anywhere else. They are very hard to make because we're cutting solid wood into the correct curve shape of a heel.

These are an exact reproduction of the 1930's style wooden heels used on the "Witch's Shoes", the best pair of ruby slippers in size 5B worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

MGM made several pairs of ruby slippers, but the size 5B "Witch's Shoes" pair used in the Munchkinland scenes had slightly longer and thinner heels than other pairs so that the ruby slippers look a bit more "sexy".

We have perfected a process to create an exact copy of this particular type of heel so this is another area of our work that we're very good at making.



Exact reproduction wooden shoe heels on the original ruby slippers

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Below are two pictures of Judy Garland as Dorothy wearing the ruby slippers in the movie.

The first picture shoes her wearing the ruby slippers in Munchkinland when she arrives in Oz, and the second picture is when she wore the ruby slippers in the Witch's Castle where is being locked up.

These are two different pairs of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy because you can kind of see the pair in Munchkinland has a slightly longer and thinner heels with pointy and slimmer toes, whereas the pair worn in the Witch's Castle has shorter and thicker heels.

We will be replicating a pair of hand-sewn ruby slippers using the same technique as the original ruby slippers that looks identical to the pair worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy in Munchkinland, known as the "Witch's Shoes" because they have a hint of sexiness.



Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy

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Two Questions:

a.) How many hours of hand-sewing?

2.) Are the bows the same on the two different pairs of ruby red slippers?

It's like asking how many hours to drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. If you drive fast then you'll get there quickly.

It really depends on your sewing speed and how much perfection you want to put into your work. If you want to sew at a fast pace with sequins dangling loosely all over the place and just call it a pair of hand-sewn ruby slippers then you can do that in about 72 hours (3 days).

But if you want to sew slowly to focus on attention to detail like we do, and the sequins are neat and firm then it can take 3-4 weeks, if not longer.

The bows on each pair of original ruby slippers are a bit different because they are handmade, and more than one person made the original ruby slippers. The way one craftsperson works is different to the way another craftsperson works, but they have the same job and that is to make a hand-sewn pair of ruby slippers with bows from the materials supplied to them.

This is a pair of hand-sewn bows that we will be using on this pair of ruby slippers. Every stones and beads are sewn firmly onto a red silk fabric to perfection with thin leather overlay.



Hand-sewn ruby slipper bows

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Our shoes have been made in Judy Garland's cute size 5B, and the shape matches the original ruby slippers known as "The Witch's Shoes".

Just like the original ruby slippers, our ruby slippers will be wearable after they are sequined. These designer quality shoes have already been coated with red enameled bottoms. The right shoe contains a heat embossed golden label that reads "Innes Shoe Co., Los Angeles, Pasadena, Hollywood", and "#7 Judy Garland" is written with a black fountain pen on both shoe.

This will be a hand-sewn pair of ruby slippers, crafted to look brand new. The sequining process will begin in early July. It has been about six weeks since we last worked on a pair of ruby slippers so we're excited to be back doing what we do best.



Judy Garland's size 5B leather and silk fabric overlay shoes

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Red glossy soles on Judy Garland's size 5B shoes

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Innes Shoe Co. heat embossed golden label

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A labor of love, truly indeed. What kind of leather do you use?
Do you use magnifying device to see when sewing on the sequins?

We use high quality Italian leather for the lining, insoles and soles.

I still have good eyesight, I don't wear glasses or use magnifying device. You always have to rest your eyes and fingers regularly when sewing the sequins onto the shoes otherwise you can do damage to yourself later in life.

  Did some research and your Ruby Red Slippers are the highest quality replicas made in the entire world. Congratulations are in order. Your attention to detail and authenticity is what makes these an "object de art". Excellent work Miss Saovaluck!

Thank you for your kind words, that is very nice of you.

That is the general thought of the public and top craftspeople around the world.

When people buy ruby slippers from us, they are buying from one of the most skillful artisans. I'm not in a position to say I am better than this person and that person in making ruby slippers, but people can look at my work and decide for themselves.

Not kind words, just the truth. The quality is something I associate with Japanese meticulousness. Since you refuse to make shoes for men, could you make me a Tin Man Hat?

I'm glad you like our previous creations. All of our ruby slippers are magical and they are made in dedication to Judy Garland.

Unfortunately I have never worked with tin or metal.

We have started sewing the sequins directly onto the right shoe following the same technique as the original ruby slippers.



Sequining to perfection on the right shoe in the early stages

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The bow is affixed first, then the sequins are hand-sewn from toe to heel?

The bows have been made, but they are not sewn onto the shoes until the very end, when we finish sequining the shoes. We just put it on there temporarily for photo purposes only to show how the shoe will look with the bow.

Yes, we always start sewing the sequins from the toe towards the back of the shoe and heel. It's a very long process because we want to make sure the sequins start and finish perfectly on the edge of the shoe.

  Clearly only the highest quality thread must be used; thin but durable. Is the thread also a Ruby Red color?

Yes, the thread is ruby red and also strong so that the sequins are tightly attached to the shoe.

You don't want any loose sequins because when Judy Garland as Dorothy walks or jumps on the set, they won't fall off.

  Do you paint the wooden heels yourself? Reckon it must be an exact shade of paint.

The wooden heels are not painted but covered with red silk fabric for sewing.

The leather heel caps is nailed into the heels and painted.

Our ruby slippers look very authentic because of our wooden heels which is only available through us.

Apologize for pestering you. Are the sides of the heels covered permanently with red silk fabric? If so how do you attach? It is so very fascinating.

You're not pestering me, I'm always happy to answer questions.

Yes, the sides and back of the heels, as well as the shoe uppers are covered permanently with red silk fabric by sewing them onto the shoes.

Once the sequins covers the shoes, you will not see the fabric, but sparkling red just like in The Wizard of Oz.

The sequins beautifully overlap each other in a fish scale pattern. We are renowned for our ferocious attention to detail when crafting hand-sewn ruby slippers.



Hand sewing the sequins on the right shoe

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Just above the top sequin it looks like you have cross-stitched;
am I right in thinking this provides support?

Yes.

We have finished sequining the right shoe and attached the bow. It looks absolutely beautiful, remember every sequin is sewn by hand.



The right shoe has been sequined to perfection

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Do you ever suffer from cramping or stiffness in your fingers and hands after sewing for an extended period of time? What measures to you take to ensure your hands stay healthy...e.g.
manicure, soaking in hot water, massage, etc.?

My hands and fingers always feels fine because I like to take plenty of breaks during the day.

In the Wizard of Oz, when we first see the Ruby Red Slippers on the feet of the recently deceased Wiked Witch of the East, is the patternofthe shoes the same as when Dorothy first discovers the shoes on her feet?

To answer your question, it is believed that the ruby slippers on the Wicked Witch of the East is the same pair worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy when Glinda zaps them on her feet.

This is because we can clearly see in both scenes that the ruby slippers doesn't have orange felt on the bottom on the shoes. Other pairs had orange felt to muffle the sound of her footsteps.




Sequining on the left shoe is just as beautiful as the right shoe. There's still a lot of work to do as the ruby slippers begin to take shape.



High quality hand-sewn ruby slippers is taking shape

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Sequining on the left shoe is really neat and firm as we continue sewing our way towards the back of the shoe.

The shape of the size 5B shoe and heel looks perfect and it goes a long way to making a pair of ruby slippers beautiful. Remember the heel is made from wood as were the heels on the original ruby slippers.

Initially, MGM didn't plan to have bows on the original ruby slippers but after tests they decided to include bows to make the ruby slippers look more beautiful with big "gems" in closeup shots.



Sequining is in progress on the left shoe

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  Do you use a vise or similar tool to hold the shoe steady and stable when sequining?

To answer your question, no, I don't use a vise, it will damage the sequins. If I need the shoe to be steady, I just hold it in one of my hand.




We are on the home stretch with this stunning pair of ruby slippers. There's still some more work to do on the heel, and around the top opening of the left shoe.

Nearly 5,000 sequins have been sewn directly onto the shoes with a normal straight needle. This is a high quality pair of ruby slippers made by one of the world's most experienced craftswoman.



Beautiful ruby slippers is ninety percent finished

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Difficult to believe that sewing of sequins is done free-hand.

Can see, though, how a vise would damage the sequins. Which leads to the following question:

  Were the original Ruby Red Slippers also crafted in a "free-hand" style and manner?

I'm using soft hands to sew every sequin and I'm not putting any pressure onto the shoe, therefore the shoe can be sewn without the aid of anything to hold it.

The original ruby slippers were most likely crafted the same way too.

This beautiful pair of hand-sewn ruby slippers is finished. Crafted in Judy Garland's shoe size 5B by one of the world's top ruby slipper makers.

We'll add more photos tomorrow.



July 2017 project completed with Judy Garland's ruby slippers

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A genuine handmade and hand-sewn product. Our work with this absolutely stunning pair of ruby slippers is now complete and makes you feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction because it takes a lot of time and concentration to craft a pair.

These are an exact reproduction of the original ruby slippers as worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy in the Munchkinland scene, in 1939's The Wizard of Oz. This pair had longer heels and slimmer, pointy toes on the shoes than other known film-worn pairs of ruby slippers.

Our ruby slippers can be worn, they can be displayed, and they would attract people in any performance or museum or home.



Absolutely stunning pair of ruby slippers

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These final photos concludes our work with this stunning pair of ruby slippers in July, 2017.

A lot of hard work was put into this project, with so much focus and meditation through many weeks of sewing, and the end result is beautiful, a really beautiful pair of ruby slippers indeed.



Hand-sewn ruby slippers crafted in July, 2017

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  When you are focused on the exquisite detail work, does the sewing become a kind of mediatation where your mind is at Peace?

  The Ruby Red Slippers are radiant!

Yes, that is a great way to describe it.

The strong focus transitions into meditation because what you're doing is grab a sequin then sew it on, grab a sequin the sew it on, grab a sequin the sew it on, and you need to keep doing this for many hours each day.

I'm using hand and mind meditation, if not for meditation, I wouldn't be able to complete a beautiful pair of ruby slippers like these.

I think this is such good medicine for the soul.
Of course people pay for finished product, but the feeling of             
accomplishment must be rewarding.